Our July grant has been awarded to artist Marya Triandafellos and her project "Breathe," a 15' wide mural that will be installed on a currently blank wall in the lobby of the Columbia University Medical Center's cancer wing. It will be the first thing patients see when they enter a space where they spend up to one half hour waiting on each visit.

In her own words: "The hospital has no budget for art, yet these are patients facing some of the most vulnerable and emotionally charged moments of their lives. I created Breathe to transform this transitional space into a moment of color, peace, and gentle energy: something that can lift spirits without the need for words. Working with the hospital, I developed a survey to learn what patients and staff would prefer for the space. Through my interest in Neuroarts, I researched that images of nature are especially effective in healthcare settings. Using AI, I created a sweeping, idealized view of the Hudson River designed for a moment of calm for patients and to help staff feel uplifted. Installation is expected by late 2025."